GARETH SOUTHGATE has stressed that he expects Boro to be very busy in the transfer market this summer - despite the initial apparent lack of activity.

The Boro boss believes that the need to turn the squad around, plus the fact that some players want to leave the Riverside, will be the catalyst for incoming and outgoing activity.

Southgate said: “It’s still very early, with so many people in football away on holiday, but I would expect things to be busy here.

“As far as players leaving are concerned, I have players who have Premier League experience who will obviously interest other clubs.

“In addition there are those that we will have difficulty hanging on to.

“We are committed towards changing the squad around so that it is more suited to the demands of the league we are in.

“At the same time, we will have to replace those players who do leave.

“So, I think it will be a busy close season in terms of the transfer market.”

The main problem for the fans at the moment is that they don’t see any physical proof that action is being taken.

But Southgate has insisted that negotiations have already begun with some clubs, even though movement is slow.

It’s known that Boro have inquired about Manchester United duo Gary Neville and Paul Scholes, while out of contract striker Leroy Lita is another one on the radar.

Tuncay is the player most likely to leave, but Boro could receive offers for any number of players.

Southgate said: “Things are happening, though whether that period that we need to get things done will be over a few hectic weeks or spread out across most of the close season right now it's impossible to say.

“We’re working hard behind the scenes to make things happen. We know what we want to do.

“There’s lots of influencing factors, of course, but we know where we are going and what we want to achieve.

“Our target is to try to put together a squad that can help us win promotion. That’s what we're focused on.”

Boro are usually linked with dozens of summer targets by the national media, though the links have so far been few and far between.

This may be because Boro have been relegated and are no longer in the national limelight.

Southgate said: “I’m sure the speculative stories will appear in the press.

“Some of those stories will have an element of truth about them, some of them will be close to the mark, and some will be neither and have no truth in them at all.

“I know that supporters want to know names, but it’s more difficult to negotiate when you are doing it in public.

“I don’t want to spend the whole of the summer denying or confirming reports, rumours and speculation. I think that would be counter- productive. I will try to keep the deals that I want to do as close to my chest as I can.

“Then, if and when we complete a deal and sign a player, we will confirm it and tell the press and more importantly our supporters.”